USING THE BEST LINEAR PREDICTOR (BLP) IN THE SELECTION BETWEEN AND AMONG HALF-SIB PROGENIES OF THE CMS-39 MAIZE POPULATION

Data of corn ear production (kg/ha) of 196 half-sib progenies (HSP) of the maize population CMS-39 obtained from experiments carried out in four environments were used to adapt and assess the BLP method (best l inear predictor) in comparison with to the selection among and within half-sib progenies (SAWHSP). The 196 HSP of the CMS-39 population deve loped by the National Center for Maize and Sorghum Research (CNPMS-EMB RAPA) were related through their pedigree with the recombined progenie s of the previous selection cycle. The two methodologies used for the selection of the twenty best half-sib progenies, BLP and SAWHSP, led t o similar expected genetic gains. There was a tendency in the BLP meth odology to select a greater number of related progenies because of the previous generation (pedigree) than the other method. This implies th at greater care with the effective size of the population must be take n with this method. The SAWHSP methodology was efficient in isolating the additive genetic variance component from the phenotypic component. The pedigree system, although unnecessary for the routine use of the SAWHSP methodology, allowed the prediction of an increase in the inbre eding of the population in the long term SAWHSP selection when recombi nation is simultaneous to creation of new progenies.